Uncovering Scaffold Law Data
On May 9, 2018, the Government Justice Center filed a petition on behalf of the Empire Center for Public Policy in the New York County Supreme Court in Empire Center for Public Policy, Inc. v. New York State Department of Financial Services, Index No. 154321/2018. Among other things, the Empire Center performs research and produces […]
Keeping 211 Waivers in Check
On May 4, 2018, the Government Justice Center filed an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Empire Center for Public Policy in Police Benevolent Association of New York State, Inc. v. State of New York, et al., Case No. 525746 in the Third Department Appellate Division. The case relates to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) […]
Holding Warren County Accountable
In early 2017, Mr. Whitehead tried to participate in Warren County’s decision-making regarding a contract dispute with a project vendor. Mr. Whitehead had discovered issues with a geo-thermal energy project and contract between Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. and Warren County. His efforts led to the County questioning Siemens’ performance under the contract. It hired an […]
Questioning Empire State Development’s Ad Spending
Between 2011 and 2015, New York ran television ads and other advertising campaigns for programs such as Taste NY, START-UP NY and “New York State of Opportunity.” The commercials and catchphrases were developed and bought through a contract between Empire State Development (ESD) and BBDO USA LLC. On July 17, 2017, Reclaim New York (Reclaim) […]
Fighting for Teacher Contracts
Following several ignored Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests for teacher and superintendent contracts, the Government Justice Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Empire Center for Public Policy against Malverne Union Free School District in Nassau County on Long Island. The Empire Center, mainly through its SeeThroughNY.net database, works to give New Yorkers […]
Challenging Illegal Fees
For several years, Long Island’s Suffolk County has avoided raising general fund taxes by imposing new or increased fees on certain residents. In October 2017, the Government Justice Center, an Albany-based public interest legal center, filed a lawsuit in the state Supreme Court to put an end to the illegal practice of raising general revenue […]
Ending Paid Union Leave
In May 2017, the Government Justice Center, an Albany-based public interest legal center, and the Center for Cost Effective Government (CFCEG), a Long Island-based taxpayer advocacy organization, filed lawsuits in state Supreme Court to stop the Syracuse City School District and Suffolk County from allowing government union officers to collect pay and benefits when they […]